The Messengers of the Elkhorn Association, to the Churches of which they are Members.
Dearly Beloved Brethren:
[From Elkhorn Bapitst Association Minutes, 1827. The document is from Southern Baptist Historical Library & Archives, Nashville, TN and was provided by Stephen duBarry. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
Brother B. A. Hicks (Bryan Station Baptist Church) reported a Circular letter, which was read, received and adopted.
Circular Letter, 1827
We most sincerely desire, to thank the Lord, that we have once more enjoyed, the high privilege, of meeting together, in an
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associated capacity. And although our minutes, will shew you, a statement of our business, and will no doubt afford you a pleasure, in noticing some addition, to our body, yet it is a matter, very much regretted by us, that a difference of opinion, respecting the denominative name of one of our Church, has caused some distress, and unpleasant feelings among us. Still dear brethren, we desire to thank the Lord, that it is as well with us, as it is, humbly hoping, that ere long, it will be his good pleasure, to restore peace in all our borders. We have had a number of ministering brethren with us, many of them from a distance, have heard much good preaching, and hope our meeting, will not only prove a blessing to ourselves, but likewise a blessing, to those of our fellow travellers to eternity, who have been here present with us, and who, we fear are out of the are of safety. We know dear brethren, we can do nothing to divine acceptance, without the aid of the Lord, that Paul may plant, and Appollas water, but God must give the increase; therefore dear brethren, let us all unite, in fervant prayer to God, that he would once more, visit us by the out pourings of his spirit, and bring many sons and daughters to himself. For remember it is written, "behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that is shall leave them, neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear his name, shall the son of righteousness arise with healing in his wings, and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." Beloved brethren, we would likewise remind you, of some of the good effects, resulting from brotherly love, and especially the exercise of it. The Saviour lays it down as a mark, whereby all men may know his followers; "by this (he says) shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Again we know says the Apostle John, "that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren." And again "he that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion, of stumbling in him," and "if we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfect in us." When we reflect on the many good effects, flowing to the saints, from the reciprocal exercise of brotherly love, which forms the bond of union and christian fellowship, we are ready to exclaim with the Psalmist, "behold how good and how pleasant it is, for brethren, to dwell together in unity." Therefore dear brethren, in the language of an Apostle, we beseech you, that ye increase more and more. And "now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."
Elkhorn Association Circular Letters
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